Instead, the Golden State Warriors shooting guard and one of the most dynamic players in the NBA has been sued by a former team employee, Erika Ross Smith, for supposedly sending her numerous unwanted text messages, culminating in a photo of his genitals.
Talk about being a baller! (Sorry.)
Monta Ellis
Smith worked last year as in the team's community relations department, and claims in her lawsuit that Ellis texted her from November through January with lines such as "I want to be with you" and "Hey Sexy." He would also ask what she was wearing.
"On a micro level, my client has endured unwanted harassment, has suffered and continues to suffer emotional distress and trauma," Burt Boltuch, Smith's lawyer, said at a news conference this week. "On a macro level, this type of conduct, especially in the sports world, must stop... she was embarrassed. She was intimidated. She felt scared and helpless."
The Warriors have responded to the allegation and said Ellis - who is married - and Smith engaged in a "consensual relationship."
After Smith reportedly rejected the guard's advances, she says he complained about her job performance and sent her a picture of his penis on December 17, 2010. Boltuch told reporters of the photo in question, which he possesses: "We know it came from him," saying his client's interactions with Ellis with "absolutely, unequivocally 100 percent not consensual."
Smith eventually lost her job, in her opinion, due to Ellis' wife finding out about the text messages and complaining to team executives.
The lawsuit alleges retaliation, wrongful termination and intentional infliction of emotional distress. It seeks unspecified damages.
